Is it worth it to buy a high mileage rx-8?
11-16-2014, 02:20 AM
#1
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is it worth it to buy a high mileage rx-8?
hello all, i am brand new to the forum. im very interested in buying a used rx-8, but after all i have read about the whole rotatory engine situation, is it worth it to buy anything with, for say, 70k+ miles? or would it be smarter and cheaper to buy a rolling shell then buy a new or rebuilt engine? i mean, if youre going to have to rebuild or buy a new one sometime after ~100k why not buy a cheaper rx-8 with a blown engine than buy one with high mileage? interested to hear your guys' thoughts. thank you!
11-16-2014, 05:52 AM
#2
Driving my unreliable rx8
Read all of this
New and potential owners
If you're willing to spend the money for a good engine, then it would be better to buy one with a bad engine for 1500-2000 or so, but you have to consider what caused the engine to go bad. They'll probably need a new radiator and hoses at a minimum.
With the age of the cars. A good brake system flush, probably rotors. Transmission and differential oil change. Then Maybe a clutch if you buy a standard.
A lot of this stuff can be done for pretty cheap if you do them yourself. If you're paying someone then they'll get expensive pretty quick.
New and potential owners
If you're willing to spend the money for a good engine, then it would be better to buy one with a bad engine for 1500-2000 or so, but you have to consider what caused the engine to go bad. They'll probably need a new radiator and hoses at a minimum.
With the age of the cars. A good brake system flush, probably rotors. Transmission and differential oil change. Then Maybe a clutch if you buy a standard.
A lot of this stuff can be done for pretty cheap if you do them yourself. If you're paying someone then they'll get expensive pretty quick.
11-16-2014, 05:58 AM
#3
You gonna eat that?
iTrader: (1)
Series 1s are more problematic due to 1 less oil injector.
I think it was corrected in '06.
Automatics also had more problems.
This is a debatable topic with no easy answer.
I can give you my opinion from doing a lot of reading on this forum since I joined 2 years ago.
I think your best bet would be to get a well cared for series 2, or if the prices or not in your budget, a series 1, preferably 1 owner, with a well documented maintenance history, and a knowledge of the special needs of the Renesis.
Also be sure it has had all recall issues updated, especially the PCM reflashes.
The MOST important thing is to get a rotary specific compression test before buying.
An engine with 70k & good compression numbers is better than an engine with 30k & bad numbers.
There have been many remanufactured engines, many from the dealers, that have failed quickly.
A better alternative is to get a rebuilt engine from a reputable rebuilder like Rotary Ressurection for example.
It will cost several thousand dollars, but the general consensus is that it's worth it.
I have an '04 6spd with now almost
40k.
I bought it from a dealer, original owner traded it in, over 2 years ago with 18k miles & in excellent condition except for the cat failed soon after from a bad coil.
A BHR midpipe and recently a BHR ignition, maintained it according to advice I've gotten from the many knowledgeable members here, & still runs great.
Read the new owner's stickies, most everything you need to know is there.
Good luck!
I think it was corrected in '06.
Automatics also had more problems.
This is a debatable topic with no easy answer.
I can give you my opinion from doing a lot of reading on this forum since I joined 2 years ago.
I think your best bet would be to get a well cared for series 2, or if the prices or not in your budget, a series 1, preferably 1 owner, with a well documented maintenance history, and a knowledge of the special needs of the Renesis.
Also be sure it has had all recall issues updated, especially the PCM reflashes.
The MOST important thing is to get a rotary specific compression test before buying.
An engine with 70k & good compression numbers is better than an engine with 30k & bad numbers.
There have been many remanufactured engines, many from the dealers, that have failed quickly.
A better alternative is to get a rebuilt engine from a reputable rebuilder like Rotary Ressurection for example.
It will cost several thousand dollars, but the general consensus is that it's worth it.
I have an '04 6spd with now almost
40k.
I bought it from a dealer, original owner traded it in, over 2 years ago with 18k miles & in excellent condition except for the cat failed soon after from a bad coil.
A BHR midpipe and recently a BHR ignition, maintained it according to advice I've gotten from the many knowledgeable members here, & still runs great.
Read the new owner's stickies, most everything you need to know is there.
Good luck!
11-16-2014, 08:41 AM
#4
Registered
Automatics only have one oil cooler, and the early failures of those were in hot climates.
Ken
11-16-2014, 09:36 AM
#5
You gonna eat that?
iTrader: (1)
Thanks for clarifying. My memory is not the best.
11-16-2014, 12:50 PM
#6
Registered
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've been contemplating buying a new engine for the one I have but everything I've found has higher miles. Looks like an ls1 swap is coming because I don't want to fork out the cash to have the rotary rebuilt b
11-16-2014, 01:40 PM
#8
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Series 1s are more problematic due to 1 less oil injector.
I think it was corrected in '06.
Automatics also had more problems.
This is a debatable topic with no easy answer.
I can give you my opinion from doing a lot of reading on this forum since I joined 2 years ago.
I think your best bet would be to get a well cared for series 2, or if the prices or not in your budget, a series 1, preferably 1 owner, with a well documented maintenance history, and a knowledge of the special needs of the Renesis.
Also be sure it has had all recall issues updated, especially the PCM reflashes.
The MOST important thing is to get a rotary specific compression test before buying.
An engine with 70k & good compression numbers is better than an engine with 30k & bad numbers.
There have been many remanufactured engines, many from the dealers, that have failed quickly.
A better alternative is to get a rebuilt engine from a reputable rebuilder like Rotary Ressurection for example.
It will cost several thousand dollars, but the general consensus is that it's worth it.
I have an '04 6spd with now almost
40k.
I bought it from a dealer, original owner traded it in, over 2 years ago with 18k miles & in excellent condition except for the cat failed soon after from a bad coil.
A BHR midpipe and recently a BHR ignition, maintained it according to advice I've gotten from the many knowledgeable members here, & still runs great.
Read the new owner's stickies, most everything you need to know is there.
Good luck!
I think it was corrected in '06.
Automatics also had more problems.
This is a debatable topic with no easy answer.
I can give you my opinion from doing a lot of reading on this forum since I joined 2 years ago.
I think your best bet would be to get a well cared for series 2, or if the prices or not in your budget, a series 1, preferably 1 owner, with a well documented maintenance history, and a knowledge of the special needs of the Renesis.
Also be sure it has had all recall issues updated, especially the PCM reflashes.
The MOST important thing is to get a rotary specific compression test before buying.
An engine with 70k & good compression numbers is better than an engine with 30k & bad numbers.
There have been many remanufactured engines, many from the dealers, that have failed quickly.
A better alternative is to get a rebuilt engine from a reputable rebuilder like Rotary Ressurection for example.
It will cost several thousand dollars, but the general consensus is that it's worth it.
I have an '04 6spd with now almost
40k.
I bought it from a dealer, original owner traded it in, over 2 years ago with 18k miles & in excellent condition except for the cat failed soon after from a bad coil.
A BHR midpipe and recently a BHR ignition, maintained it according to advice I've gotten from the many knowledgeable members here, & still runs great.
Read the new owner's stickies, most everything you need to know is there.
Good luck!
11-16-2014, 01:46 PM
#10
Registered
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 0
Received 240 Likes
on
110 Posts
It's all about the engine compression scores. I would happily buy a 250,000 mile chassis 150,000 mile engine with compression scores in the 8s over a 30,000 mile chassis/engine with compression scores in the low 7s.
Every other mileage related consideration is frankly easy to fix and simple to solve.
Every other mileage related consideration is frankly easy to fix and simple to solve.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post